THE WOODCHUCK 45 



carbon disulphide. . . .The holes run down at an angle of about 45 

 degrees to a depth of nearly or quite seven feet, then they con- 

 tinue their burrows for some four feet further on a level. At the 

 end a spacious room is rounded out large enough for the family 

 that is to occupy the snug, warm place." 



The above records seem to indicate that the prairie-dog is not 

 particularly successful in maintaining itself in the state, even if 

 it is introduced ; and the Missouri river seems to have served as a 

 fairly effective natural barrier to its eastward dispersal from Ne- 

 braska. It may, however, be in place here to utter a timely word 

 of warning in reg^ard to the introduction of such noxious animals 

 as pets or for exhibition. As has been pointed out before this is a 

 species which may become a pest and a menace to agriculture on 

 account of its fecundity, its adaptability, and its food habits ; so it 

 were better not to take any ehances of its spreading by introducing 

 it into any locality. If specimens are brought into the state great 

 care should be taken that they be placed in properly constructed 

 cages from which there is no possibility of escape. Such a serious 

 matter should receive due forethought and consideration and care 

 should be exercised that this pest of western states does not obtain 

 a foothold in our owti. 



SOUTHERN WOODCHUCK. WOODCHUCK. GROUND HOG. 



Marmota monax monax (Linnaeus). 

 l^Mus] monax Linnreus, Syst. Nat., X ed. I, 60, 1758. 



Description. — Color above grayish brown, the hairs of the back 

 reddish brown with gray tips and black bases; cheeks gray, the 

 mouth margined with whitish ; nose and chin gray ; tail dark brown, 

 the hairs tipped with gray ; color below brownish chestnut ; feet 

 browTiish or blackish ; throat grayish. 



Measurements. — Total length, 23.25 inches; tail vertebrre, 5.50 

 inches ; hind foot, 3.50' inches. 



This species is somewhat variable both as to size and coloration ; 

 in length it varies from twenty to twenty-five inches, and in colora- 

 tion from j)ure white to black ; although, of course, specimens col- 

 ored some shade of gray are much more common than are specimens 

 of other colors. 



Hahits, Distrihution, Etc. — The woodchuck is a common rodent 

 throughout the eastern half of the state, but is seldom met with in 

 the extreme western counties. It is the largest common rodent 



